Nominations open: 2025 McKinnon Political Leader of the Year

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about the prize

The McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership is a collaboration between McKinnon and the University of Melbourne and is Australia's only independent, non-partisan award for outstanding political leadership.

Established in 2017, this prestigious award celebrates political leaders who demonstrate exceptional vision, collaboration, courage, and ethical behaviour. By highlighting exceptional leadership the prize creates important national conversation, reinforcing trust in our political leaders and inspiring the future leaders which is critical for a well functioning Democracy.

Nominations are now open for 2025.

PRIZE CRITERIA

THE PRIZE CRITERIA

In each prize category, nominations are evaluated by an independent Shortlisting Committee and then a Selection Panel, against the same criteria. The criteria ensure leaders are recognised for the right reasons.

The criteria reflect a leader’s ability to put their country’s needs first, their vision, and their capacity to collaborate and embrace non-partisanship to deliver positive outcomes.

The McKinnon Prize criteria are:

Vision:

The nominee has demonstrated innovative, farsighted, and practical thinking to identify and resolve important public policy problems.

Collaboration:

The nominee has built coalitions to achieve positive outcomes across and beyond partisan divides.

Ethical behaviour:

The nominee has exhibited honesty, integrity, respect and compassion through a standard of conduct and behaviour that inspires public confidence.

Courage:

The nominee has shown bravery to stand up for a worthy principle for the greater good, overcoming formidable opposition or sectional interests, regardless of risks to their own career advancement.

Impact:

The nominee has demonstrably advanced the public good.

2025 nominations form

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

Nominations close Friday 28 November 2025.

For any questions, please contact [email protected]

Your name*

Nominee name (Self nominations are permitted)*

Relationship to nominee - if any*

Email address*

What state/jurisdiction does the nominee hold elected office?*

What is their title, and what electorate or region do they represent?*

Category*

- Category -

Political Leader of the Year – Federal: Long-serving federal elected representatives with over five years in elected office.

Political Leader of the Year – State/Territory: State or Territory elected representatives with over five years in elected office

Emerging Political Leader of the Year: Recently elected representatives, first elected to any federal, state/territory or local office after 1 Jan 2021 (less than 5 years)

Considering the Prize Criteria, please provide a short summary of your nomination rational:*

Using specific examples of their achievements in 2025, please detail why you are nominating this person for the McKinnon Prize:*

Please include links to any material that may assist the selection panel. This could include links to LinkedIn profiles, personal websites, videos, media coverage, etc.:*

How did you learn about the McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership*

- Select an option -

Do you consent to being contacted by the Prize organisers should further information about your nomination be required?

Would you like to receive email updates from McKinnon, including McKinnon Prize updates?

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